For some time now, I have become associated with sleek black hair and a messy bun, big hoop or door knocker earrings and the best gloss on my lips! While I have earned myself this urban image and reputation, my personality and views are quite the contrary. I live in a beautiful, big seven-bedroom house in a quiet residential street, and I would beg to differ that at any point given in my life, I have been engaged in 'hood life'. However, whatever I say or do, people don't just assume that I'm involved in some sort of urban disadvantages, but that I am not Muslim!
That is one thing that I am finding it difficult to cope with, everything else is getting easier. Two weeks ago, I visited a local corner shop in Brixton, picked up a packet of sweets and kindly asked the shopkeeper, 'Are they halal?'. The shopkeeper looked at me in shock horror, before, saying 'Why would it matter to you if the sweets were halal or not?' , to which I very firmly replied, 'Because I am a Muslim'. At this point, I could see a familiar expression of guilt and confusion spreading over his face. He was yet another person who singled me out as not being Muslim, based on how I was dressed, and especially for not wearing the hijab. There was a customer whom had heard the conversation between me and the shopkeeper and he remarked, 'Never judge a book by its cover'.
Even though a lot of the time people are shocked when I proclaim that I'm Muslim or engage in any sort of Islamic activity or event, the incident in the shop moved me. I felt discriminated against and I aspired to reduce people's ignorance towards what makes a good Muslim. Cheesy as it may sound, it really is on the inside that counts. I directly and indirectly know a lot of sisters (a respectable reference to other female Muslim counterparts in Islam) that may cover head to toe, but are still smoking, drinking and involved in pre-marital sex, which is against the principles of Islam. I am not saying all sisters are like this, some are very pious and dedicate all their deeds to Allah. May Allah reward them in this life and the hereafter. What is interesting and both enlightening to me, is that there are many sisters like me who may not cover up extremely modestly, but who still love and fear Allah, who strive for the deen (religion) and maybe pray more than covered up sisters or may infact not be doing the bad deeds that the sisters covered up are doing.
All that I am trying to do, is break down this cultural myth that girls who wear the hijab and abaya (long Islamic gown for women) are modest and saints. No human being is perfect, and only Allah knows everything about everyone. I mean I do my very best to pray five times a day, read Qur'an, give dawah (invitation to Islam) and I have never smoked, drank alcohol and I am still a virgin. Many hardcore Muslims most probably wouldn't be able to vouch for this. I am not in any way, shape or form, insinuating that I am a good Muslim or that I am perfect, I am just trying to emphasize that I am still Muslim, whether I wear the hijab or not. I believe in Allah, prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being the last messenger, the Angels, the Qur'an and the day of judgement. That makes me Muslim. My faith.
Though I may dress in a westernised and what some may argue immodest manner, I understand and appreciate the importance of covering up modestly in Islam. I respect those who cover up, only to please Allah and are happy in covering up. My up most respect goes to them.
Anyways, I'm going to keep this post short and sweet, got to get ready for Asr prayer.
Myself, dressed Islamicly outside Brixton Mosque.
The look people usually do not see past ..